​1mn vulnerable pensioners struggling at home without state, community care

More than a million British pensioners who have trouble washing, dressing and getting out of bed are in urgent need of assistance, but are forced to battle these obstacles alone, a damning report reveals.

Age UK published the
findings on Tuesday.

Some 100,000 more pensioners have found themselves in this
predicament since 2014, a situation Age UK says is absolutely
unacceptable in a so-called “civilized society.”

Speaking on Tuesday, the charity’s director Caroline Abrahams
said these vulnerable people need social care and should not have
to suffer alone.

“Not only are they without help from the social care system,
they are also not getting it from family, friends or neighbors
either,” she said.

Age UK’s report shows the extent to which pensioners are being
abandoned, as the government persists with its plans to roll back
the welfare state.

This trend was also apparent over the past 10 years under the
Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition and Labour governments.

The charity’s figures uncover the extent to which elderly people
are deserted by society, with 31.1 percent of those in need of
vital assistance left without any help from the state, neighbors,
friends or family.

More than 50 percent of those who have trouble bathing receive no
help whatsoever, while over a third of those who have difficulty
using the toilet are also without assistance, the report says.

Over a third of those who have mobility issues must struggle
alone, while 80 percent of those who need assistance with taking
medication fail to receive help, it adds.

The research also reveals roughly 67 percent of those who require
help with eating fail to receive any assistance, while in excess
of 40 percent of those struggling to dress are also without help.

The latest figures from Britain’s Office for National Statistics
(ONS) show the UK’s elderly population is growing. Nevertheless,
the state’s social safety nets put in place to keep them healthy
at home are disintegrating.

Age UK argues this is having a serious impact on the National
Health Service (NHS), as hospital admissions rise. The numbers of
unexpected emergency admissions of those aged 65 and over rose
from 1,810,531 in 2005/06 to 2,211,228 in 2012/13, ONS figures
show.

Meanwhile, community care services have been slashed by 24.6
percent (£560 million, or US$864 million) since 2010/11.

In September, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
(ADASS) chiefs warned an additional £1.1 billion will be cut from
social care budgets. These figures include extra funding offered
by the government for implementing the Care Act and the Better
Care Fund.

Following the release of Age UK’s report, the group’s director
Caroline Abrahams said drastic reforms are required.

“This downward spiral in social care and support for older
people can't go on,” she said.

“The Budget on July 8 offers a great opportunity for the
government to begin to address it and a million older people need
them to take urgent action.”

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Telegraph everyone in the
UK should take more responsibility for the care of older people.

Age UK backed his stance, but insisted more financial support for
care services is vital.